Tree-killing insects and diseases can hitchhike in firewood, moving much farther with you in a single weekend than they could in years on their own. Once in a new location, these invasive pests can start new infestations that destroy forests, decrease property values, and become costly to manage. Missouri has a statewide firewood quarantine that…
By Melinda Myers Grow your own burn ointment by adding Aloe vera to your indoor plant collection. This succulent has been used for centuries to treat superficial burns, cuts, sunburns, and more. The gel inside the leaves is the medicinal part of the plant. Just cut away the outer part of the leaf and use just the gel…
It started innocently enough. The presentation going well. Had a modest audience of around three dozen people listening to my recreation of Henry R. Schoolcraft. Part of the Old Greenville Days celebration, I was emphasizing the fact that Schoolcraft had taken the Bettis Ferry a half-mile from the remnants of the original Greenville Courthouse…
I guess we all have been stuck in one way or another. I’m not talking about a bad “blind date” or a math problem, I’m talking about getting stuck in the vehicle you are driving; “stuck.” No matter what type of conveyance you are operating there is a possibility of getting stuck. Many people nowadays…
Bull snake on burned prairieApril, 2000 One of the longest and heaviest snakes in Missouri is the bullsnake. Bullsnakes can average four to six feet long but may grow upwards to seven, maybe even eight, feet in the right environment. Bullsnakes are tan, yellow, or cream-colored with numerous, large, brown, or black blotches. These markings along…
Thymus vulgaris, English Thyme By Melinda Myers Keep enjoying your homegrown herbs all year round. Harvest throughout the growing season and include them in garden-fresh meals. Then preserve a few for the winter ahead. Snip a few leaves or leaf-covered stems as needed. For the same intensity of flavor, you generally need two to three…
Gourds belonging to the Cucurbita group. Fall is the time to harvest, cure and store ornamental gourds, said University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein. “Gourds are thought to be among the first domesticated plant species, dating back to as early as 13,000 B.C,” Trinklein said. “Through the years, dried gourds served many purposes –…
MDC – Sugar Maple Leaf The temperatures are cooling down and trees are beginning to change color – a sure sign that fall has arrived. The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) encourages people to enjoy fall foliage through camping, driving tours, hiking, or even floating. To help, MDC offers weekly online fall color updates from…
